x-ray
Veteran
I thought I should post my experience with Camera Service Co in Smyrna Ga.
Over the 4th of July I picked up a dirty but very nice Rolleiflex 3.5F Planar model III. The camera had been sitting unused for 45-50 years based on the roll of Kodacolor X still in the camera. The shutter was frozen, counter sluggish, focus stiff, 50 years of dirt plus generally needed a thorough CLA.
I had been in CSC at Christmas to pickup a Focomat enlarger I bought from them on eBay. The clerk tole me they were authorized service for Nikon,Canon, Rollei and others. Also they'd been in business for something like 47 years. So, when I got the Rollei I figured I'd give them a try since they are an authorized Rollei service center.
I called them and then shipped the. Within a couple of days I received an estimate for a full CLA for $399. I figured this was in line with others so I approved it. At that time they said it would take a couple of weeks. At the end of two weeks I checked my credit card statement to see if the repair had been charged thinking they wouldn't charge my card until they get into it. OK, it had been charged two weeks earlier so I emailed them to see if it was finished. I was told they charge the card as soon as they get the info and that the tech was on vacation but would go out at the end of the next week.
The end of the next week comes and I contact them so see if it's completed so I can get a tracking number and someone be available to sign for it. Again excuses and the camera wasn't done. At the end of the next week, I get a tracking number and the camera arrives the next day.
What they sent back, the shutter worked great and the counter was working properly. The transport was rough and the first frame sensor felt as though I was forcing a brick through it. The focus was still stiff and there had been no service on the meter as requested. There was debris in the lens the tI had requested be cleaned and the latch that held the hood on that worked properly when shipped to them no longer worked.
Checking to see what was up with the hood, I removed the hood and flipped up the focusing screen to find two springs that once held the latches for the hood in place now were floating around inside the mirror box. In addition the mirror was covered in 50 years of dirt as was the back of the viewing lens. The tech hadn't even taken the time to clean the mirror and lens plus didn't re assemble the camera properly.
I contacted CSC and told them what what I found. t this point I didn't trust them but allowed them to take me into sending it back to get these things fixed. Again I packed it up and shipped it back on the promise it would be back in a week.
Now a week has passed and no camera. The excuse is the tech is sick. The end of the next week, no camera. The excuse, we want to take our time and do it right. My answer was it doesn't take two weeks to do a CLA. At the end of the third week and threatening to come down and pick it up in person I finally get it back.
Pretty much all of the requested service was done this time except the debris in-between the front and second element. It's minor and they tell me it's a sealed cell and can't be accessed. I don't know if thats fact or an excuse.
It's obvious the tech thought all he needed to do was get the basic functions going and I'd never know the difference. The excuses and lack of quality of their service is unprofessional. I can not trust them do the work right and will not send anything to them in the future as well and not recommend them.
Over the 4th of July I picked up a dirty but very nice Rolleiflex 3.5F Planar model III. The camera had been sitting unused for 45-50 years based on the roll of Kodacolor X still in the camera. The shutter was frozen, counter sluggish, focus stiff, 50 years of dirt plus generally needed a thorough CLA.
I had been in CSC at Christmas to pickup a Focomat enlarger I bought from them on eBay. The clerk tole me they were authorized service for Nikon,Canon, Rollei and others. Also they'd been in business for something like 47 years. So, when I got the Rollei I figured I'd give them a try since they are an authorized Rollei service center.
I called them and then shipped the. Within a couple of days I received an estimate for a full CLA for $399. I figured this was in line with others so I approved it. At that time they said it would take a couple of weeks. At the end of two weeks I checked my credit card statement to see if the repair had been charged thinking they wouldn't charge my card until they get into it. OK, it had been charged two weeks earlier so I emailed them to see if it was finished. I was told they charge the card as soon as they get the info and that the tech was on vacation but would go out at the end of the next week.
The end of the next week comes and I contact them so see if it's completed so I can get a tracking number and someone be available to sign for it. Again excuses and the camera wasn't done. At the end of the next week, I get a tracking number and the camera arrives the next day.
What they sent back, the shutter worked great and the counter was working properly. The transport was rough and the first frame sensor felt as though I was forcing a brick through it. The focus was still stiff and there had been no service on the meter as requested. There was debris in the lens the tI had requested be cleaned and the latch that held the hood on that worked properly when shipped to them no longer worked.
Checking to see what was up with the hood, I removed the hood and flipped up the focusing screen to find two springs that once held the latches for the hood in place now were floating around inside the mirror box. In addition the mirror was covered in 50 years of dirt as was the back of the viewing lens. The tech hadn't even taken the time to clean the mirror and lens plus didn't re assemble the camera properly.
I contacted CSC and told them what what I found. t this point I didn't trust them but allowed them to take me into sending it back to get these things fixed. Again I packed it up and shipped it back on the promise it would be back in a week.
Now a week has passed and no camera. The excuse is the tech is sick. The end of the next week, no camera. The excuse, we want to take our time and do it right. My answer was it doesn't take two weeks to do a CLA. At the end of the third week and threatening to come down and pick it up in person I finally get it back.
Pretty much all of the requested service was done this time except the debris in-between the front and second element. It's minor and they tell me it's a sealed cell and can't be accessed. I don't know if thats fact or an excuse.
It's obvious the tech thought all he needed to do was get the basic functions going and I'd never know the difference. The excuses and lack of quality of their service is unprofessional. I can not trust them do the work right and will not send anything to them in the future as well and not recommend them.
flagellum
Established
Sorry to hear this - is this the service center that fulfills for KEH? They've had an M4 of mine for two weeks over the stated turnaround time with no response yet, so if it is the same center I'll await the camera's return with guarded trepidation.
ptpdprinter
Veteran
I am sorry you had such a poor experience. Fortunately, we can all learn from it.
x-ray
Veteran
No KEH has their own service tech or at least did. I used them for a shutter replacement in a Hasselblad 150 C lens several years ago and they were fast and reasonable and did a good job. At that time their repair service was in the building with the warehouse and call center.
I posted this because I'd hate for anyone here to have to deal with this.
I posted this because I'd hate for anyone here to have to deal with this.
f16sunshine
Moderator
That's a bummer.
Hopefully you can have some good results with this camera and cleanse it of this poor service experience.
I'm not sure a sealed group would be able to get debris in it if it was indeed sealed.
I've had a Tessar front group out of Rolleiflex and have taken it apart to clean some haze.
Not sure I would do that again but it was doable.
Maybe the later Planar front group is bonded.... I don't know.
Where is our Dan Daniels ?
Hopefully you can have some good results with this camera and cleanse it of this poor service experience.
I'm not sure a sealed group would be able to get debris in it if it was indeed sealed.
I've had a Tessar front group out of Rolleiflex and have taken it apart to clean some haze.
Not sure I would do that again but it was doable.
Maybe the later Planar front group is bonded.... I don't know.
Where is our Dan Daniels ?
SaveKodak
Well-known
Use Harry Fleenor for Rolleis you want fully overhauled. Use Pro Camera in VA for regular service.